48
Testbench CAMERA TEST
Thanks to a series of major updates, this is easily
the best-handling Alpha 7 modeltodate
Focal points
Video-centric
Advanced video features include
four-channel, 24-bit internal audio
recording; 10-bit S-log2 and S-log3
profiles; and 10-bit hybrid log gamma
for instant HDR.
CFexpress Type A
The camera’s twin slots
accept either UHS-II SD,
or the new CFexpress Type
A cards. Sony’s 80GB and
160GB Type A cards cost
£210 and £400
respectively, while its
MRW-G2 reader is £130.Viewfinder
The stunning new
9.44m-dot electronic
viewfinder boasts
QXGA (2048 x 1536)
resolution. With a huge
0.9x magnification, it
leaves any DSLR in
the shade.
Side-hinged
screen
This is the first Alpha
7 to employ a fully
articulated LCD, which
is a very welcome
advance for both stills
and video work.Full-size HDMI
A cable guard is supplied to
prevent the HDMI or USB-C power
cables from being dislodged during
recording, but it blocks the screen
from tilting.lower ISO range will represent
a far better overall balance.
The A7S III is capable of
shooting at ten frames per
second – double the rate of the
mark II – and thanks to the
relatively small les, it should
keep going for 1,000 raw frames
before slowing down, when using
a suitably fast card. On this note,
it becomes the rst camera to
take the new CFexpress Type A
memory cards, which are needed
for its fastest video bit-rates.
These are smaller than either SD
cards or the CFexpress Type B
cards used in other mirrorless
models, and sit between the two
in terms of speed. Both of its
slots also accept SD cards.
In place of the Creative Styles
found on previous cameras, Sony
has introduced a new approach
to colour modes, called Creative
Looks. These offer a much wider
array of adjustments, including
contrast, highlights, shadows,
saturation, sharpness and clarity.
But instead of the descriptive
names used before, each Look is
now referred to by a two-letter
abbreviation. Most are easy to
guess, but others, such as FL, IN,
and SH, are pretty impenetrable.
Pressing the Delete key offers an
explanation, but it’s not always
very helpful: for example FL
‘Creates an image with moody
nish by applying sharp contrast
to the calm coloring as well as
the impressive sky and colors of
the greens.’ Me neither.
You can choose to record stillimages in the high ef ciency
image le (HEIF) format rather
than JPEG, although you can’t
record both at the same time.
Disappointingly, though, there’s
still no in-camera raw conversion.
Maybe Sony will nally get around
to adding it on the A7 VI.Build and handling
In terms of design the A7S III is
very similar to the recent A7R IV,
which means that it has bulked
up considerably compared to its
predecessor. Indeed at 129 x 97
x 81mm and a shade under
700g, it’s the largest Alpha 7 yet.
It sports a big, chunky grip that’s
taller and deeper than those on
previous generations, bringing a
much more secure hold. However
its somewhat slab-sided pro le
means it’s less comfortable in
your hand compared to the more
sculpted grips found on other
high-end mirrorless cameras.
Pretty much every control has
been improved over third-
generation A7 models: for
example the AF joystick is larger
and has a textured surface, and
the AF-ON button is much easier
to operate with the camera up to
your eye. All of the buttons are
larger, and provide a longer, more
positive travel. Compared to the
now rather ancient A7S II, the
difference in usability is as night
and day.
You also get few welcome
re nements over the A7R IV. The
video button has moved to a
more convenient location on theThanks to on-chip phase
detection, autofocus is
dramatically improved
Sony A7S III, Sony 24-105mm F4 at
105mm, 1/1000sec at f/4, ISO 1000128.9mm
80.8
mm
96.9
mm
Power
The Z-type battery offers
a 60% increase in
capacity compared to the
A7S II’s NP-FW50. The
USB-C port can be used
both for fast charging,
and to power the camera
during long recordings.